The United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) and L'ORÉAL today signed a five year (1999-2004) partnership agreement entitled "For women in science". With this agreement, the two partners undertake to carry out joint projects in favor of promoting women in scientific research on a worldwide scale.

There are currently two projects underway in the framework of this partnership, and they will give rise to a ceremony, that will unite women scientists from all over the world on 10 January 2000. On this occasion, at the Paris headquarters of UNESCO, five women researchers singled out for their work will receive Helena RUBINSTEIN Prizes, created in 1998 and now integrated in the UNESCO-L'ORÉAL partnership. At the same time, 10 young women involved in post doctoral research will receive UNESCO-L'ORÉAL grants, which will help them to continue with research and also help them pursue their scientific calling.

The "For women in science" program translates L'ORÉAL and UNESCO's joint resolve to highlight the major role of women in the development and sharing of knowledge, especially in science and research, in the area of life science.

"By encouraging women to enter scientific research, where they are still insufficiently represented, and drawing attention to their work and experience, we can encourage the growth and sharing of knowledge in general", said Federico MAYOR, Director General of UNESCO.

Press Release of September 29, 1999UNESCO and L'Oréal sign a partnership agreement:"FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE"

The United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) and L'ORÉAL today signed a five year (1999-2004) partnership agreement entitled "For women in science". With this agreement, the two partners undertake to carry out joint projects in favor of promoting women in scientific research on a worldwide scale.

There are currently two projects underway in the framework of this partnership, and they will give rise to a ceremony, that will unite women scientists from all over the world on 10 January 2000. On this occasion, at the Paris headquarters of UNESCO, five women researchers singled out for their work will receive Helena RUBINSTEIN Prizes, created in 1998 and now integrated in the UNESCO-L'ORÉAL partnership. At the same time, 10 young women involved in post doctoral research will receive UNESCO- L'ORÉAL grants, which will help them to continue with research and also help them pursue their scientific calling.

The "For women in science" program translates L'ORÉAL and UNESCO's joint resolve to highlight the major role of women in the development and sharing of knowledge, especially in science and research, in the area of life science.

"By encouraging women to enter scientific research, where they are still insufficiently represented, and drawing attention to their work and experience, we can encourage the growth and sharing of knowledge in general", said Federico MAYOR, Director General of UNESCO.

And Lindsay OWEN-JONES, President and Chief Executive Officer of Groupe L'ORÉAL said: "L'ORÉAL's commitment alongside UNESCO today in the 'For women in science' partnership is a concrete expression of our firm conviction that science is the source of all progress and that the contribution of women is vital to its future".

Since it was founded, Groupe L'ORÉAL has given major importance to research and has transformed cosmetology into a separate scientific discipline. The L'ORÉAL research laboratories employ over 2,200 people worldwide, who each day push back the frontiers of science through their expertise in a number of fields in the life sciences.

UNESCO is an organization for intellectual cooperation in education, culture, science and communication. It is dedicated to participating actively in reducing inequality by fostering the sharing of knowledge.

This partnership between an intergovernmental organization and a private company exemplifies a new form of cooperation founded on shared convictions and competencies. "Sharing is key to the future for everyone, especially sharing knowledge. I believe strongly in the effectiveness of active cooperation between large private corporations and UNESCO, since it is society as a whole that must confront and master the great challenges in the world today", said Federico MAYOR, Director General of UNESCO.

"Read a transcript of the speech given by Lindsay Owen-Jones during the signing of L'Oréal's partnership with UNESCO - For Women in Science - on September 29, 1999."